Critical Contributions to Critical Challenges | March 10, 2026

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Lab have successfully demonstrated a new, lower-cost approach to national missile defense testing, validating that commercially operated rockets can support rapid, affordable flight tests for missile defense programs.

APL and GKN Aerospace are partnering to develop a system that simulates shipboard motion for metal 3D printing at sea — advancing the Navy’s ability to produce critical parts on demand. Building on APL’s success aboard the USS Bataan, this effort aims to enable motion-aware manufacturing of mission-essential components in dynamic maritime environments.

Researchers at the Lab, inspired by biomolecules found in cold-tolerant organisms, are developing novel materials that can control ice formation. These breakthroughs could lead to new technologies for the U.S. military, from advanced materials for construction to medical treatments that can prevent frostbite and preserve sensitive biological samples.

An interdisciplinary APL team created ATLAS, an artificial intelligence co-investigator that automates testing, learning, and synthesis for microcapsules, which has decreased human labor required per experiment by more than 80% and advances Lab progress in microcapsule development and automated experimentation.

Lab Director Emeritus Ralph Semmel has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his leadership in generating innovative and disruptive engineering advancements in defense, national security, and space exploration.

Registration is now open for the Analysis & Decision Advantage Conference (ADEC) 2026, which will be held on Tuesday, May 19 at APL. This classified conference brings together leaders from the national security analysis community to strengthen partnerships and share strategies and best practices. Last year’s event drew hundreds of attendees representing the U.S. military, government, the intelligence community, industry, and federal research centers.

Sarah Adams, program manager for Alternative Computing Paradigms, was honored by the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) for her contributions to advancing science and technology research in support of national security.

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